The Irish Grand National is one of those rare sporting events that brings everyone together, including seasoned punters, casual fans, and those of us who just fancy a flutter once a year.
Whether you’re drawn in by the Fairyhouse spectacle, the stories, or the sheer unpredictability of it all, the 2026 renewal on Easter Monday, April 6th, promises another exciting chapter in this great race’s history.
So, if you’re looking to pick a horse, follow the action, or just sound knowledgeable at the pub, here’s your friendly, in-depth guide to this year’s runners, how the weights work, and who might be in with a real chance.
Who’s Running? Meet the 2026 Contenders
The entries have been whittled down, and we finally have our 30 declared runners with a mix of seasoned campaigners, up-and-coming novices, and a few dark horses who could spring a surprise.
Here’s a look at some of the key runners, their stories, and their chances, in language we can all understand.
The Favourites
THE JUKEBOX KID 13/2 (Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Ben Jones)
The Jukebox Kid comes here fresher than most after deliberately swerving Cheltenham, and connections have had this marathon in mind all season.
A progressive staying chaser, he already shapes as though an extreme trip on a big, galloping track will unlock further improvement, and his handy weight gives him every chance of settling into a rhythm.
Ben Pauling has spoken about his chance, and if he jumps as fluently as he has in smaller fields, it is easy to see why he sits towards the head of the market.
SOLDIER IN MILAN 7/1 (Trainer: Emmet Mullins, Jockey: Donagh Meyler)
Soldier In Milan has quietly developed into a proper staying chaser for Emmet Mullins, mixing novice and handicap company to good effect this season.
A winner earlier in the season, he has already shown he can mix with graded company, and notably, he beat Kiss Will in a Beginners’ Chase at Punchestown, underlining his raw ability.
KISS WILL 7/1 (Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend)
Kiss Will is the up-and-coming Closutton novice, boasting solid placed efforts in good company and an earlier win that hinted at plenty more to come.
He has already advertised his stamina by seeing out trips around the three-mile mark while jumping accurately in the main.
Still only six and racing from the foot of the weights, he appeals as the type to be ridden quietly early before creeping into contention. Has every chance, and since Paul Townend chose to partner him, his odds have plummeted.
SHOWURAPPRECIATION 17/2 (Trainer: Jonathan Sweeney, Jockey: Mark Walsh)
Comes into this race on the back of three wins at Punchestown and twice at Navan, giving him every chance going into the Irish National.
Owned by JP McManus and bred by his wife Noreen, Showurappreciation is the shortest priced of his five runners in the race.
It also helps that Mark Walsh, McManus’ retained rider, is on board and a decent indication that this runner is his best chance of a win.
GORAIBHMAITHAGAT 10/1 (Trainer: Colm Murphy, Jockey: Harry Cobden)
A JP McManus-owned 6yo with an exciting upward curve. Won a Listed novice chase at Naas in February by a head under Mark Walsh, then was desperately unlucky to be headed on the line in a stronger Listed contest last month.
Lightly raced, progressive, and Colm Murphy’s stable is in fine form. Soft ground suits and 14/1 looks generous.
The Each-Way Value and Outsiders
Argento Boy 14/1 (Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe)
Argento Boy brings Grade 3-winning form to the table and has been a steady improver for Willie Mullins over fences this term.
He has already shown he can mix it at a high level, running with credit in a strong Brown Advisory before returning to Irish company, and his Naas and Punchestown staying wins suggest this trip is right up his street.
With Mullins’s team in relentless spring form and a racing weight that looks workable, this lightly-raced seven-year-old looks tailor-made for a big-field stamina test at Fairyhouse.
One Big Bang 14/1 (Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: Sean Bowen)
Third in the National Hunt at Cheltenham last month on just his fourth outing over fences. Sean Bowen, who won this race last year on Haiti Couleurs, takes the ride again and knows Fairyhouse perfectly.
Well-experienced over 3m+, handles soft ground, stays well, and his best form is clearly still ahead of him.
Monbeg Genius 18/1 (Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr)
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill has won this race twice, and Monbeg Genius could be his third. This 10-year-old was a solid third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month, jumping brilliantly in first-time blinkers.
A confirmed strong stayer who handles soft ground well, and Jonjo O’Neill Jr knows this horse inside out.
Shecouldbeanything 25/1 (Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jack Kennedy)
Gordon Elliott confirmed this race as her target after Cheltenham, and Jack Kennedy, one of Ireland’s best, takes the ride.
A genuine stayer who handles testing conditions, she ran in last year’s renewal, so holds course form.
In the money 10 times from 13 chase starts, at 10-12 she’s well weighted and females often run big fresh in spring staying chases.
Dark Horses and Longshots
Kurasso Blue 28/1 (Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Jordan Gainford)
Gordon Elliott saddles this unexposed 5yo chestnut, who was impressive winning at Punchestown in December.
Jordan Gainford has been in terrific form all season. Very lightly raced over fences with only 4 starts, he’s the type of progressive improver Elliott consistently targets for big spring handicaps like this.
Born Braver 28/1 (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Eoghan Finegan)
Gavin Cromwell’s Born Braver arrives with strong staying form and soft-ground credentials.
He’s fresh off the back of a big win in the Ulster National, and at 28/1 he represents outstanding each-way value if hitting a clear round and getting competitive in the straight.
Let’s just hope he still has enough in the tank, as his Downpatrick win was only on March 29th!
Shanbally Kid 33/1 (Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: John Shinnick)
Willie Mullins has trained two Irish Grand National winners in the last six runnings and typically targets this race with a well-selected handicapper.
Shanbally Kid finished last season with a huge win at Punchestown over 3m7½f and while this season has been a little hit and miss, he definitely has what it takes if he shows up on form.
How to Pick a Winner?
If you’re just having your once-a-year bet, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Stamina is key: Horses need to stay the trip. Look for those who have run well over three miles or more.
Weight matters: Horses carrying less than 11 stone have a better record, though don’t rule out the classier types carrying more.
Ground conditions: If it’s soft or heavy, proven mudlarks have an edge.
Trainer and jockey form: Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins, and Gavin Cromwell are the big names to watch. Jockeys who can claim a few pounds off are a plus.
Full List of Runners 2026 Irish Grand National
| No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | The Jukebox Kid | Ben Jones | Ben Pauling | 13/2 |
| 10 | Soldier In Milan | Donagh Meyler | Emmet Mullins | 7/1 |
| 13 | Kiss Will | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 7/1 |
| 25 | Showurappreciation | Mark Walsh | Jonathan Sweeney | 17/2 |
| 16 | Goraibhmaithagat | Harry Cobden | C A Murphy | 10/1 |
| 1 | Better Days Ahead | Mr R James | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| 3 | Argento Boy | Sean O’Keeffe | W P Mullins | 14/1 |
| 8 | C’est Ta Chance | Danny Mullins | W P Mullins | 14/1 |
| 15 | One Big Bang | Sean Bowen | James Owen | 14/1 |
| 30 | Waterford Whispers | Darragh O’Keeffe | Henry de Bromhead | 14/1 |
| 9 | Flicker Of Hope | Michael Kenneally | Mark Fahey | 16/1 |
| 11 | Monbeg Genius | Jonjo O’Neill Jr | Jonjo & A J O’Neill | 18/1 |
| 2 | Search For Glory | James Smith | Gordon Elliott | 20/1 |
| 18 | Better Times Ahead | Simon Torrens | Robert Tyner | 20/1 |
| 12 | Shecouldbeanything | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | 25/1 |
| 26 | Western Walk | Daniel King | Jonathan Sweeney | 25/1 |
| 4 | Joystick | Brian Hayes | W P Mullins | 28/1 |
| 20 | Kurasso Blue | Jordan Gainford | Gordon Elliott | 28/1 |
| 21 | The Enabler | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliott | 28/1 |
| 24 | Sa Majeste | Aidan Kelly | W P Mullins | 28/1 |
| 27 | Weveallbeencaught | Patrick M O’Brien | E McNamara | 28/1 |
| 28 | Born Braver | Eoghan Finegan | Gavin Cromwell | 28/1 |
| 17 | Karia Des Blaises | Anna McGuinness | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 23 | O’Toole | James Bowen | S R B Crawford | 33/1 |
| 29 | Shanbally Kid | John Shinnick | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 6 | Rushmount | Mr Alan O’Sullivan | Jonathan Sweeney | 40/1 |
| 7 | Yeah Man | Keith Donoghue | Gavin Cromwell | 40/1 |
| 19 | Hartur D’arc | Sean Flanagan | John C McConnell | 80/1 |
| 22 | Duffle Coat | Josh Williamson | Gordon Elliott | 80/1 |
| 14 | Velvet Elvis | Alex Harvey | John C McConnell | 100/1 |
Predictions and Verdict
I’ve focused on a couple of lively outsiders who could run a big race:
TIP 1 – The Jukebox Kid
Trainer Ben Pauling specifically targeted this race and gets the soft ground he needs.
Three wins from four over fences, wins at 3m+, progressive at just 7 years old, and carrying a manageable 11-2. Ascot Grade 2 winner last month, his form is rock solid, and direction of travel is firmly upward.
TIP 2 – Better Times Ahead
Two-time course winner at Fairyhouse, including the Porterstown Handicap Chase over 3m6f, connections know this track suits him perfectly.
Trainer Robert Tyner publicly targeted this race after his last win here, stating the horse handles the course and loves soft ground.
Weight of 10-8 fits the historical winner profile precisely. JP McManus backing gives every support.
TIP 3 – One Big Bang
An 8yo grey carrying a handy 10-10, with strong form in big-field staying handicaps. Third in the National Hunt at Cheltenham last month showed he handles the big occasion.
Stays well, handles testing ground, and ridden by Sean Bowen who won this race on Haiti Couleurs last year. Bowen knows exactly how to ride Fairyhouse.
TIP 4 – Shecouldbeanything
In the money 10 times from 13 chase starts, at 10-12 she’s well weighted and females often run big fresh in spring staying chases.
Gordon Elliott confirmed this race as her target after Cheltenham, and Jack Kennedy, one of Ireland’s best, takes the ride.
A genuine stayer who handles testing conditions, she ran in last year’s renewal, finishing seventh, so we know she has the jumping skills and stamina to go all the way.
How Are the Weights Decided?
In racing, “weights” sound a bit technical, but they’re actually just racing’s way of giving everyone a fair shot.
Horses get an official rating based on how good they are; the stars of the show carry the most weight, and the ones still learning the ropes carry less.
In theory, if the handicapper has done their job, they should all meet in a heap at the finish.
The top-rated horse gets what’s called “top weight” – and for the Irish Grand National, that is 11 stone 12 pounds. Everyone else is trimmed down from there. So if one horse is rated 10lb lower than the top one, it carries 10lb less on its back. Simple-ish, once you get the hang of it.
Younger horses get a little weight taken off as a helping hand, and if a trainee, or “conditional” jockey is riding, they can claim a few pounds off too. That takes some of the load off the horse and gives the young rider a better chance to shine.
This year, Better Days Ahead has drawn the short straw and is lumping top weight. That’s a serious shift to haul around Fairyhouse, and history says trying to do it on testing ground is about as easy as running a marathon with a backpack full of bricks.
Watching and Enjoying the Race
The 2026 Irish Grand National is live on ITV and Racing TV in Britain, and RTE2 in Ireland, with the race off at 5pm.
Even if you don’t follow racing all year, it’s a great event to enjoy with friends and family, whether you’re glued to the TV or just checking your sweepstakes horse.
Looking Forward To Another Great Race
The Irish Grand National is unpredictable, thrilling, and full of stories waiting to unfold. Whether you’re cheering on the favourite, hoping for a fairytale win for an old-timer, or just trying to pick a name you like, it’s a race that always delivers drama.
Have fun, bet responsibly, and may the luck of the Irish be with you, especially if you only bet once a year!
All odds and runners correct as of April 6th, 2026. Always check the latest information before placing your bet.
BETFRED
